How long can I maintain small entity status after it’s established?
Once small entity status is established in an application or patent, you can continue to pay fees as a small entity until the issue fee is due or any maintenance fee is due. This is stated in 37 CFR 1.27(g)(1): ‘Once small entity status is established in an application or patent, fees as a small entity may thereafter be paid in that application or patent without regard to a change in status until the issue fee is due or any maintenance fee is due.’
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 500 - Receipt and Handling of Mail and Papers,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure